If You Give Me Three Days of Light: The Best Collection of Helen Keller

Chapter 41 Helen Keller Letters (9)
In fact, I only know a little about bicycles.I was told that tandem tricycles are more expensive than other types of bicycles.My teacher and some friends thought I should ride a Columbia tandem, which was safer to ride in the country.I've only ridden a two-seater trike before, and it's very different from a normal tandem.Perhaps a two-seater tricycle is safer than a tandem, but it's heavier and clumsier, and takes up more of the road as it travels.I wear a pair of culottes when I ride, and so does the teacher.Of course, if you want to step on a bicycle ridden by a man, the teacher is much better than me.So it would be nice to have a ladies seat in the back of the bike my teacher said your idea of ​​having a fixed handlebar for the bike is a good idea...

Helen Keller
letter 63

To Miss Caroline Derby
Ransome, September 1898, 9

…We have a nice climate and beautiful scenery here, and it’s a joy to run wild on flat roads, and I don’t care if I get hurt.I did twelve miles on my tandem this morning!The road was rough, I fell three or four times, and now I'm a little crippled!Now I spend almost all day outdoors, boating, swimming, cycling and other interesting sports have been played by me.

I actually learned to swim and dive - it just wasn't pretty!I was able to swim underwater for a little while and felt so comfortable, I never had to worry about drowning again!This is an improvement, right?And now that I'm fit and tan, I can pretty much paddle around the lake no matter how heavy the boat (paddle) is...

Helen Keller
letter 64

To Mrs Lawrence Hughton
12 Newbury Street, Boston, October 1898, 10

Since we made up our minds to come to Boston, we have been in a busy state, and it can be said that we can't get a moment of peace.This is the first time I have had time to write to you since we have been here.

The poor teacher is very busy. She is a porter, a postman, and all kinds of people.I really wish we didn't bother moving so much...

... I am reading the Iliad, the Aeneid, and Cicero.I also did a lot of algebra and geometry problems. The Iliad is about truth, an elegant work with a childlike innocence.But "Aeneid" is more solemn and reserved, she is like a beautiful girl who always lives in a deep house.I think "The Iliad" is very similar to a lively young man who regards the whole world as his own playground.Mr Keith will be here every day (afternoon) at 03:30 except Saturday.He said he was willing to be my teacher temporarily.

The weather here has been gloomy all week.But today's weather is not bad, the floor of the room is full of sunshine.We're going for a walk in the park in a while, and I hope Ransome's Forest is just around the corner (ahead!)But alas!With nothing ahead, I was content to wander about the garden.

For some reason, I always feel that the fields, pastures, and solemn pine forests in the countryside seem to be in a closed and dull environment. They live in a short-sighted way, and they don't even have any doubts about their narrow life.Regrettably!Had they realized their limitations, they would have escaped into the woods and fields to live a new life.

And those trees with "urbanization" and "self-awareness" are no exception.I often feel bad for these "hipster" trees.Like many vain people, they prefer crowded and noisy cities to quiet and free countryside.do you know?I suspect that they look down on their country relatives, because these poor relatives have never "seen the world".These are not nonsense!You may think that I am leaving Ransom, which I love, and in a sense I both want to leave and I don't want to.I miss the Red Farm and the plants and trees there very much, but there are my teachers and books in this big city, and there are many wonderful things waiting for me to discover.People here struggle desperately throughout their lives, just to seek happiness in a cruel environment.In any case, I hope that I can live the life I want, whether it is rich or poor...

Helen Keller
letter 65

To Mrs. William Shaw
Boston, December 1898, 12

Both the teacher and I were amused by the girls' play.They have "violent war horses" under their crotches.Coupled with their simple knight uniforms, it must be very interesting!If they look like the "saw horses" (bicycles) I understand, then "slender" can be used to describe them.Now I gather my only companions under my arm, including mighty warriors, white-haired sages, and domineering ancient heroes, who will sing, dance, and play like other girls!While my ancient friends were smart and funny, I really appreciate the time they lived in

But I must not waste my time on unrealistic expectations.Of course, I occasionally feel dissatisfied, but I will not let this unhappiness affect my yearning for life.As you know, because the loving God is always by my side, he has generously given everything in my life, and he has made my life sweet and warm, so my life is always full and happy.Compared with his endless blessings, all misfortunes vanish like a passing cloud...

Helen Keller
letter 66

To Mrs. William Shaw
12 Newbury Street, Boston, October 1898, 12

… I asked myself if I was just adding happiness to my own cup without thinking about the empty cups of so many others.Now that I finally realize the pain of a selfish, greedy girl, I'm ashamed of myself for being careless.In order to gain the approval of others, we must make our desires public-in fact, this is a naive fantasy that I can't shake.But I have gradually learned that the happiness in this world is limited, and it is impossible to satisfy everyone's wishes.This makes me very sad, I think I should learn to forget, even for a while.I've had a lot of fun, so I should try to get "more" fun for poor kids like "Oliver Twist" Jr., and think more about them...

Helen Keller
letter 67

To Mrs Lawrence Hughton
12 Newbury Street, Boston, October 1898, 12

... I guess Mrs. Keith may have told you about my "daily news".If so, you should know that I have taken all of my geometry courses and almost all of my algebra courses in preparation for my Harvard exams.I would say that Mr. Keith was almost as important as my beloved teacher Sullivan in opening my mind and broadening my horizons—more than anyone else.After Christmas, I will review these two courses carefully.Now I want to tell you a happy news, that is, I like math class.Because, now I can easily solve complex quadratic equations, which is a lot of fun!I think Mr. Keith is a very good teacher. He made me understand the charm of mathematics. I should really thank him...

Helen Keller
letter 68

To Mrs Lawrence Hughton
12 Newbury Street, Boston, October 1899, 1

...Have you seen Kipling's "Kitchener's School" and "Dreams Come True" two very tasteful poems that even made me dream.I'm sure you've seen the report on Gordon Monument College, a school founded by the British in Cattom.I always believe that God's blessing will be conveyed to the Egyptian people through this school, and this blessing will eventually be conveyed to the British themselves.So a strong desire arises in my heart: my own country should do the same, and we should turn the brave descendants lost by the USS Maine into a good blessing to the Cuban people. "Isn't the school in Havana qualified to erect an immortal monument to the brave men of the "Maine"? Can't the blessing be on everyone's head? Let's imagine it this way. On a terrible night, The "Maine" is moored in the port of Havana. When she is destroyed by a mysterious force, she will point to the fascinating building ahead and say, that is the "Maine" Monument College. This is what the Americans want to make the Cubans A school built for the education of the Spaniards! This is indeed a monument to the fanaticism of the Christian nation! In this matter, there is no so-called hatred and vengeance, and there is no trace of traditional beliefs, so right and wrong. It seems impossible to judge. What a glorious victory! On the other hand, we have plans to declare war on the world. When it is ready, we will tell Cuba and the Cuban people that we will be responsible for a self-governing people. There is a moral responsibility to...

Helen Keller
letter 69

To Mr. John Heitz

12 Newbury Street, Boston, October 1899, 2

...I had a very interesting experience last Monday.That morning, an enthusiastic friend, with the curator's permission in advance, took me on a tour of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.She said that the curator allowed me to touch the statues in the museum, so that I could get up close and personal with old friends from the Iliad and Aeneid.How interesting is this?

I went there, the curator received me personally, and showed me some of the most beautiful statues, among them Minerva of the Parthenon, Venus of the Medici, and Diana in armor, She holds a quiver in her hand, and a doe stands beside her.I also saw Apollo, who was slaying a serpent standing by a gigantic column, his arm in triumph against the attack of the dreaded serpent.Oh, how handsome he is!The most unlucky ones were Laocoon and his two young sons. Entwined by two giant snakes, they struggled hard, stretched their arms to the sky, and wailed heart-piercingly.I also saw poor Niobe, clutching her youngest child in her arms, begging the cruel goddess not to kill her last darling.I was moved almost to tears.I was overjoyed by the presence of Venus, who looked as if she had just risen slowly from the foamy sea, her graceful figure was like a melody from heaven.All the scenes are so heartfelt and realistic, it is touching.

In addition, the curator also enthusiastically showed me the replica of the bronze gate of the Florence Baptistery. I touched the elegant gateposts and the roaring lion carved on the gate, which is very exquisite.If I have a chance one day, I will visit Florence.A friend of mine told me that she would show me some replicas of stonework that Sir Elgin had brought back from the Parthenon.But I prefer to go to the original site to see the surviving authentic ones, because they are not only a hymn in praise of the gods, but also a monument to the glory of Greece.They have a unique symbolism.

And I think it is very wrong to be forcibly removed (or copied) from the temple that originally belonged to them...

Helen Keller
letters seventy
To Mr. William Wade

Boston, December 1899, 2

I wanted to write to you the day after I received "Idyll" and tell you how happy I was to receive your book in the mail!Ah, I really want to thank you very much.Thank you for everything you have done tirelessly for me.All kinds of books are now arriving from England one after another.I have already received the seventh and eighth volumes of the Aeneid, and the Iliad.It is such a blessing to have these books, so that almost all the textbooks I use are embossed.You are glad to hear that news.I am very happy to hear about the good deeds you have done for the blind and deaf.The more I can feel the compassion of people, the more I learn.Come to think of it, not so long ago, teaching knowledge to the blind and deaf was considered impossible.But soon the situation changed, and today, if so many poor and unfortunate people are being educated, they can finally see the beauty and reality of life. "Love" can always find the prison that confines the soul, and "love" will also lead the soul into the world of freedom and thought!Hundreds of kind and compassionate hearts come together to make the impossible possible.

If teaching a deaf-blind person how to spell, the sign language alphabet is more convenient and less obtrusive than "ambidextrous spelling", and for those who are sighted, this method is easier to master than the sign language alphabet, That is, it can make most of the text look like a book written in capital letters...

Helen Keller
letter 71
To Mrs Lawrence Hughton
12 Newbury Street, Boston, October 1899, 3

... Now, what makes me anxious is that the teacher's eyes still haven't improved.In fact, I think the teacher's eyesight is getting worse, a dark cloud is hanging over my heart, but the teacher is brave and stoic, and she will not give up hope.It would have been time to prepare for the exams in June.But I feel very sad, because the teacher sacrificed his eyesight completely for me.I think I should completely give up the idea of ​​going to college, because in this world, not all knowledge will bring me happiness, not to mention paying such a heavy price.But the teacher will not listen to me, so I desperately hope, Mrs. Hughton, I would like to ask you to come forward to talk about her, please try to persuade the teacher to pay attention to rest, and to do further treatment for the eyes.Besides, I thought, by any means, I would let Mr. Rogers know how much I appreciate what he has done for me, but I couldn't think of a better way.I've just taken some pictures, and if it turns out well, I'd like to pick one and send it to Mr Rogers, you think he'll like it.

Everyone here is talking about the Sargent photographs, which is really an exhibition of photographic portraits.How I wish I could feel their charm and color for myself!Take a look at these beautiful photos for yourself!But today I am gratified that I have not lost my due happiness because of this.At least I can still see them through the eyes of my friends, I am lucky that I can also revel in these beautiful photos, think about it, my friends will "present" the most wonderful pictures in my In the palm of your hand, this is also a real joy.

I have a copy of "The Jungle Book" in "relief text" and it's a refreshingly good book!I can't help but immerse myself in the plot of the story, as if I'm having a conversation with this genius writer.How thankful we are that Mr. Kipling has not left us!The natural world he described is so real, fascinating and magnificent...

Helen Keller
letter 72

To David 11．Dr. Greer
12 Newbury Street, Boston, October 1899, 5

...Every night, I will sleep peacefully.Because knowing that every day, I'm trying to make my dreams come true.Looking forward to the future, I have never felt so close to my goal.

I've finished the ninth book of "The Iliad" and now I'm starting to read "The Odyssey".My Greek has improved noticeably. I am also watching "Aeneid" and "Idyll".Some friends told me that I was a fool for spending so much time on Greek and Latin.But I believe they would think otherwise if they realized what a wonderful world Homer and Virgil have shown me. The Iliad is pretty much nothing but war.Facing the scenes of war where there are many swords and guns and soldiers screaming, people sometimes feel tired.So I think my favorite should be "The Odyssey".It is the story of noble courage, of a tormented soul who has endured many trials and yet remains faithful to the end.

When I read these magnificent poems, I often wonder why such great thoughts are like seeds sown to the world. They either lie there quietly, or are thrown and played like toys by people.Homer, composed the war hymn that ignited the courage of the Greeks.However, the noble virtues contained in these odes did not have a wide impact on the spiritual life of mankind.I believe that until one day, with the tempering of the will and the growth of wisdom, a nation will discover the value of these seeds, and when they start to cultivate carefully, the world will take a big step forward.

I am currently studying hard for the exam in June. I think I still have to work hard to know that my mother, my younger sister and younger brother will come to the north to spend the summer with me.You must be glad to hear that we shall be living in a cottage in Wrantham Lake, and my dear teacher badly needs a good rest.She hasn't had a vacation in 6 years, she's suffering from an eye disease, and we all think she should take it easy, and think about it, she's turning all her time into sunshine that shines into my life.So now she let go of all her worries and responsibilities, even for a while.

(End of this chapter)